Posted on 12/22/2011 12:43:40 PM PST by wolfcreek
The region's worst-case drought scenario might not be dire enough, researchers warn in a report released today.
Over the past 500 years, Central Texas has seen droughts far worse than the 1950s drought of record, according to a report commissioned by the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority and published Wednesday in the December issue of the Texas Water Journal. Researchers warn that makers of water policy should broaden their planning to factor in the possibility of droughts far worse than the spell that set the bar more than a half-century ago.
"The drought of record was no aberration," researcher and authority Executive Manager Todd Votteler said. He and the study's other authors analyzed data from samples taken from Central Texas trees and other historical factors. "The tree-ring record showed that there were droughts that were more severe and lasted longer. And there's a real policy question that comes up of to what extent do we need to prepare for those droughts, if at all?"
(Excerpt) Read more at statesman.com ...
Surely the author is mistaken. "Everyone" knows the current drought is the worst one Texas has ever had, and it's caused by anthropogenic global warming.
I live in Austin and have yet to hear someone complaining of the rain.
Early this week I was with a group of friends cycling on 360 In the pouring rain and 42 degrees and even after 40 miles, not a one of us was complaining of the rain.
Which ranch? The Collier ranch? I noticed them clear-cutting.
Funny you mentioned our *protected* birds.
Back in Sept. when there was a fire in Steiner ranch, the HOA had enviromental guidelines on how much you could clear your property. [they exist near or in the BCNWR]
It was found that neither species of bird actually lived in Steiner Ranch in any significant numbers.
Now residents, especially ones who lost their homes, are looking to change the policies.
Ya’ll aren’t the ones I was mentioning.
I remember Al Bore expounding on it.
All the cigarette boats down at the water are firing up. Nice boating day in how long! But I’m happy for it to rain for six months straight.
“Billions on windmills and power lines that guarantee us blackouts next summer.”
And such a LOVELY view on the drive from Sweetwater to Lubbock - and up around Hereford.
The Penn Ranch right behind Christ Our Savior (LCMS) on 1431.
I remember when Catus Pryor had his commentary about the Barton Creek Salamander "Just being good fish bait" and the libs in Austin went berserk
I know many in Far West TX Alpine Way remove all the cedar from close to thier homes just for the wildfire reason
Lots of hard lessons learned this last September in Travis and Bastrop and Caldwell Counties.
“Save the San Marcos Gambusia!!” Wait - waddya mean it cross-bred with another salamander and survived? Very inside-baseball reference: we represented one of the defendants in the Sierra Club suit to shut down pumping from the Edwards because of a stupid salamander that nobody had even SEEN in six years.
We won. Hah.
Yeah he used to ask that question alot “if anyone knew if the Worbler fed on the Barton Creek Salamander?” He just did it to drive the goofy Austinites Crazy.
The Salamanders just go DEEPER into the Aquifer that is why they are blind.
Stoopid enviroweenies.
Quite a few of our reservoirs didn't exist in the 50's.
The Penns are clearcutting? Great! That means Cow Creek will flow clear and beautiful again!
The ones I’ve seen clearing cedar are doing the right thing, cut it 2 ft from the ground and wait for the root ball to dry up and die, then knock it over with a Bobcat as the roots don’t go down but sideways. After a good rain you can hardly tell the cedar was ever there.
Medina Lake is a nothing but a mudhole at the northern end.
The ones that provide water to much of the Austin Metro area aren’t that full. (They did exist in the 50s)
The rice farmers in Wharton lose their water at in March, when the contract comes up for review, if combo is 50% capacity or less.
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